Transmission having variable output orientation and cable divert mechanism

ABSTRACT

A conveying surface is defined by outputs with respective orientations that can be varied while maintaining the input in a constant orientation, and which can be used to more than a single direction. Power may be transmitted from a source of linear power to the conveying surface through rotation about an axis perpendicular to the conveying surface. A cable divert mechanism can change the respective orientations of the outputs to divert articles onto more than a single direction.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to transmissions, and isparticularly directed to a transmission in which the output orientationcan be varied. The innovation will be specifically disclosed inconnection with material handling systems utilizing such variable outputorientation transmissions for conveying articles.

Typically the output of a mechanical transmission has a fixedorientation relative to the orientation of the input. Occasionally,though, in many situations there is a need to vary the outputorientation relative to the input orientation. One such situation ariseswith material handling systems.

With material handling systems, it is known to utilize a conveyor totransport a succession of articles along a desired path, to merge orcombine a plurality of conveying paths to fewer paths, or to selectivelydirect articles to respective desired or selected locations or desiredpaths. For example, sortation conveyors in which articles may beselectively conveyed from the sortation conveyor onto another conveyoror to a desired intermediate or ultimate location by pushers, arms, popup wheels, cross belts, tilt trays or other suitable structures.Configurations in which articles are selectively directed to one of aplurality of paths from a single conveyor include pick and pass, cartonsequencing, work cell and single sort to multiple locationconfigurations. Other examples include aligning conveyors, switchingconveyors and merging conveyors. Conveyors are also used to engage sidesof articles being transported.

Many different configurations are known for the conveying surface of asingle conveyor, such as an endless conveying belt, moving slats ortubes, cross belts, tilt trays, and rollers to name a few. An example ofrollers includes elongated cylindrical rollers which may be self-driven,such as a motorized drive roller, or driven by an underlying endlessbelt urged into contact with the rollers. Another example of rollersinclude individual spaced apart wheels having a small width relative totheir diameters which may also be driven by an underlying endless belturged into contact with the wheels. The circumference of such rollersmay be flat, i.e., cylindrical, or arcuate which may have a constantradius, i.e., spherical, or may not.

It is known to configure the conveyor system to be capable ofselectively directing articles from the conveying surface so as tofollowing one of a plurality of paths therefrom. Examples of suchconfigurations include a pusher and swinging arm to engage the articleand push it sideways. For moving slats or tubes, a traveling pusherconfiguration may be used. Crossbelt and tilt tray conveyors haveindividual sections that move as the conveyor and which are selectivelyactuated to cause the article thereon to move laterally until beingdischarged therefrom. Conveyors having wheels or elongated rollers mayhave laterally disposed conveying structures interposed therebetween atdivert locations to cause the article to travel laterally onto thedesired path. The conveying structures can comprise a plurality ofdriven divert wheels that can drive articles along the conveyingsurface, or pivot as a group to drive articles onto an adjacent path. Inmost such configurations, articles may either continue to move along themain conveyor or can be discharged laterally from the main conveyor ontothe desired path. In some configurations, the divert wheels can bemounted in a substantially flat table top with a portion of the divertwheels protruding from the table top. What is needed is a cable divertmechanism that can pivot a plurality of drive rollers as a group.

Although one or more embodiments will be described herein in connectionwith variable output orientation transmissions used in material handlingsystems, it will be understood that the present innovation is notlimited in use or application thereto. The teachings of the presentinnovation may be used in any application in which variable outputorientation transmissions may be beneficially used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the innovation,and, together with the general description of the innovation givenabove, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below,serve to explain the principles of the present innovation.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a variable output orientationtransmission constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinnovation

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view the transmission of FIG. 1constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drive train of the transmission ofFIG. 1 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinnovation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive train of the transmission ofFIG. 3 with an output roller rotated 90 degrees from the position ofFIG. 3 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinnovation.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the variable output orientationtransmission of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present innovation.

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view of the variable outputorientation transmission of FIG. 5 with cap and clips exploded therefromconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 7 is an alternate angle perspective view of FIG. 6 with an upperhousing removed to show components within constructed in accordance withthe teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the cap ofFIG. 7 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinnovation.

FIG. 9 is partial cross-sectional perspective view of the transmissionof FIG. 1 taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 7 on the variableoutput orientation transmission showing debris thereon constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of thetransmission of FIG. 9 taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 1 showing debrisbeing ejected from the transmission in accordance with the teachings ofthe present innovation.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the transmission ofFIG. 1 taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 1 showing the transmission jammedby debris and with a lower input roller slipping on linearly moving beltaccordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cable divert mechanismthat engages with the transmission to rotate the output roller about thefirst axis of rotation constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present innovation.

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the cable divert mechanism of FIG.13 with drums and an actuator to rotate the output roller constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cable divert mechanism of FIG. 13with the transmission rotated in a first direction to a first positionconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cable divert mechanism of FIG. 13with the transmission rotated in a second direction to a second positionconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cable divert mechanism installed ina table and configured to rotate a plurality of output rollers from afirst position constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent innovation.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cable divert mechanism installed ina table after rotating the plurality of output rollers to a secondposition that is 90 degrees from the first position constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cable divert mechanismwith elements of the table shown exploded for clarity constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present innovation.

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of theinnovation illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in thefollowing description, it is to be understood that terms such as front,back, inside, outside, and the like are words of convenience and are notto be construed as limiting terms. Terminology used in this patent isnot meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, orportions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations.Referring in more detail to the drawings, an embodiment of theinnovation will now be described.

FIGS. 1-12 depict a drive or transmission 20 that is an alternateembodiment of transmissions 2 found in co-pending U.S. non-provisionalapplication Ser. No. 14/063,400, titled Transmission Having VariableOutput Orientation, which was filed on Oct. 25, 2013 by John JosephWilkins, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Eachof a plurality of transmissions 20 comprises an output roller 90embedded into a body (first housing 30, second housing 40, cap 100) ofthe transmission 20 with an exposed portion 91 of the output roller 90extending above a top surface 101 of the transmission 20 to define theconveying surface. Output rollers 90 can be rotatably driven with apower source to convey articles thereon FIGS. 13-19 shows embodiments ofa cable divert mechanism 148 of the present innovation that engages withone or more transmissions 20 to rotate each output roller 90 about firstaxis of rotation 21. Each output roller 90 is rotatable about first axis21 of rotation perpendicular to the conveying surface to divert articlesconveyed thereon from the first direction to the second direction

FIG. 1 is an isometric view and FIG. 2 is an exploded view oftransmission 20. Transmission 20 has a cylindrical body and a narrowwaist, and comprises second housing 40 rotatably mounted on a fixedfirst housing 30. In the embodiment depicted, first housing 30 is ahollow multi-stepped cylinder that is wide at the base and hasprogressively smaller cylinders moving towards the top. First outersurface 32 is a cylindrical surface positioned midway on housing 30 andsecond outer surface 34 is a smaller cylindrical surface positioned atthe top. Shoulders 36 extend downward from the wide base with bearingbores 38 extending within. Mounting bosses 39 are positioned above eachbearing bore 38 for fixing first housing 30.

In the embodiment depicted, second housing 40 is a hollow multi-steppedcylinder that is wide at the top and narrow at the base. Stepped bore 42extends therethrough and comprises lower bore 42 a at the narrow end andupper bore 42 b at the wide end. Clamp boss 45 extends from either sideand has a threaded bore within. Second housing 40 rotatably mounts onfirst housing 30 and forms a rotatable coupling therewith when firstouter surface 32 is rotatably received in lower bore 42 a. Flangedsleeve 50 inserts into second housing 40 from the top to bring sleevebore 51 into secure engagement with second outer surface 34 of firsthousing 30. This insertion also brings sleeve surface 52 into rotatableengagement with lower bore 42 a of second housing 40. First outersurface 32 of the first housing 30 and sleeve surface 52 of the flangedsleeve 50 form a rotatable coupling with lower bore 42 a of secondhousing. The rotation of the upper housing 40 about the lower housing 30defines a vertical or first axis 21 and the rotatable coupling is freeto rotate without binding. Flange 54 of secured flange sleeve 50prevents upward movement of upper housing 40 relative to lower housing30. Flanged sleeve 50 may be secured to first housing 30 in any suitablemanner, such as with an adhesive but not limited thereto.

FIGS. 3-4 show drive train 60 that mounts within first housing 30 andsecond housing 40. Drive train 60 is configured to convert input linearmotion moving in a first plane in a first direction into output linearmotion directed in any direction on a second plane. As shown in FIGS.17-19, the linear output motion can be provided by a linearly movingbelt 145 powered by a power source. The linear output motion of the belt145 can be transferred to drive 20 by placing input roller 65 intocontact therewith. The first and second plane need not be parallel. Asshown in FIGS. 3-4, input linear motion (arrow 27) rotates input roller65 clockwise (arrow 24) around horizontal axis 23. Pinion 70 is rotatedby input roller 65 and rotates first bevel 72 counterclockwise (seefirst axis rotational direction arrow 22) around first axis 21. Coupling74 transmits the counterclockwise rotation of first bevel 72 to secondbevel 76. Second bevel 76 transmits rotation (first axis rotationaldirection arrow 22) to second pinion 80 and output roller 90 whichrotate around a second horizontal axis 25 in a counterclockwisedirection as indicated by arrow 26. The rotational movement of outputroller 90 produces a linear output depicted by output arrow 28 on anarticle being conveyed (not shown). As will be described later, bolt 82defines the second axis 25 of rotation for output roller 90.

In FIG. 4, output roller 90 is shown rotated 90 degrees around thevertical or first axis 21 in the clockwise direction from the positionof FIG. 3. This rotation changes the direction of the output linearmotion by about 90 degrees to the new direction indicated by outputarrow 28. As output roller 90 is rotated about the vertical axis 21,second pinion 80 remains in driving contact with rotating second bevel76. Second pinion always rotates in the same direction as indicated byarrow 26, regardless of the rotation of the output roller 90 about firstaxis 21.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, input roller 65 has axle 64 that is hollow toreceive bolt 66 therethrough. Input roller 65, axle 64, and first pinion70 are rotatably supported by bearings 67 that can have outer races heldin bearing bores 38 in shoulders 36. Bolt 66 is disposed through inputroller 65, axle 64, first pinion 70, and bearings 67 to engage withthreads in nut 68. A rotating assembly is created in first housing 30comprising axle 64, input roller 65 and first pinion 70 clamped betweeninner races of the bearings 67 by tightened bolt 66 and nut 68. Bolt 66defines horizontal axis 23 of rotation, and axle 64, input roller 65,and first pinion 70 can be keyed to rotate together therewith. Bearings67 may be any suitable bearings, such as conventional sealed ball orroller bearings with inner and outer races.

Output roller 90 has an axle 92. Bearings 84, output roller 90, axle 92,seals 86, and second pinion 80 mount over bolt 82, and are rotatablysupported by outer races of bearings 84 held within bearing bores 38 insecond housing 40. Nut 88 threads onto bolt 82, and when tight, createsa rotating assembly in the second housing 40 comprising axle 92, outputroller 90 and second pinion 80 clamped between inner races of bearings84 rotatable around first axis 26 of rotation. When assembled, outputroller 90 is embedded into the upper bore 42 b of second housing 40 ofthe body of transmission 20 with an exposed portion 91 of output roller90 extending out of the second housing 40 of the body of thetransmission. Bearings 84 may be any suitable bearings, such asconventional sealed ball or roller bearings with inner and outer races.Seals 86 mount on axle 92 on either side of output roller 90, and can beconstructed from an elastomer. Axle 92 can be hollow to receive upperbolt 82 axially therethrough.

First bevel 72, coupling 74, and second bevel 76 rotate about thevertical or first axis 21 of rotation, and are rotatably supportedwithin transmission 20 by upper bearing 69 and lower bearing 71.Bearings 69, 71 can be identical, can be sealed ball or roller bearingswith inner and outer races, but are not limited thereto. An outer raceof lower bearing 71 is held in first housing 30 and an outer race ofupper bearing 69 is held in the sleeve bore 51 of flange sleeve 50. InFIG. 20, fastener 78 extends through second bevel 76, bearing 69,coupling 74, bearing 71, and first bevel 75. Nut 79 threads ontofastener 78 and when tight, clamps the second bevel 76, inner race ofbearing 69, coupling 74, inner race of bearing 71 and first bevel 72together into a rigid rotatable structure held within transmission 20.

FIGS. 5-12 illustrate debris control structures 98 of transmission 20.The debris control structures 98 are configured to either control debrismigration into the transmission or to prevent damage to internal gearingin the event of a jam. As described previously, roller 90 is embeddedinto the upper bore 42 b of second housing 40 of the body oftransmission 20 with an exposed portion 91 of the output roller 90extending out of the second housing 40 of the body. Cap 100 may be adebris control structure 98 that covers the upper bore 42 b of secondhousing 40 and seals with land 41 of second housing 40 to form a debriscontrol structure 98 to control egress of debris between second housing40 and cap 100. One debris control structure 98 may be cap 100 thatdefines a top surface 101 of transmission 20, with an exposed portion 91of the output roller 90 extending through at least one opening 102 inthe cap 100. The at least one opening 102 can conform closely to theroller 95 and minimizes the gap therebetween.

Cap 10 covers the larger stepped bore 42 b of second housing 40 andseals with land 41 to form a debris control structure 98 to controlingress of debris into transmission 20. Cap 10 has a top surface 101which defines a top surface of the transmission 20 with an exposedportion 91 of the output roller 90 extending through at least oneopening 102 in cap 100. The exposed portion 91 of the output roller 90extends above top surface 101 of cap 100. The exposed portion 91 ofoutput roller 90 defines a conveying surface to contact and movearticles along the conveying surface. Upper bore 42 b of second housing40 is covered by cap 100 sealing with land 41 forming a debris controlstructure 98 to control ingress of debris into transmission 20. Openings102 can conform closely to an arcuate periphery 95 of output roller 90to minimize gap therebetween, and portions of the at least one opening102 can be arcuate and/or angled to more closely match with arcuateperiphery 95 of output roller 90 (see opening walls 103 in FIG. 8).Angled opening walls 103 can be tangent to the adjacent arcuateperiphery 95 of the output roller 90. Providing the narrowest possiblegap between arcuate output roller 90 and matching the opening 102 to thearcuate surface of output roller 90 controls migration of debris intotransmission 20. For example, when the gap between output roller 90 andopening 102 is small, large debris particles are prevented from passingtherebetween. Clips 110 mount in side openings 43 of second housing 40.Cap 100 is secured to the second housing 40 by placing fasteners 114through holes in cap 100 and rotatably engaging fasteners 100 with oneof the clip holes 112.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, output roller 90 is shown embedded in transmission 20.In FIG. 7, second housing 40 is removed for clarity to show shell 120mounted under output roller 90. Axle 92 extends from both sides ofoutput roller 90 along axis 25. Seals 86 mount on both sides of outputroller 90. Shell 120 is a debris control structure 98 comprising anarcuate cup (see FIG. 2) that mounts into upper bore 42 b below outputroller 90. Shell 120 provides a bather to debris migration into nearbygears such as second pinion 80 and the second bevel 76. Flat walls 122extend upwards along two sides of shell 120 with semi-circular cutouts124 therein to allow axle 92 to pass therethrough. Cap 100 furthercomprises a pair of arches 108 extending downward therefrom configuredto interlock with flat walls 122 of shell 120. The interlock of cap 100and shell 120 completely surround or encapsulate the arcuate peripheryof output roller 90 inside an encapsulation 99 with the exception ofportions of axle 92. Arches 108 further comprise semi-circular cutouts105 for axle 92 with seal grooves 107 surrounding each cutout (see FIG.8). Seal grooves 107 also extend into side walls 122 of shell 120 sothat when shell 120 and cap 100 interlock, semi-circular cutouts 105 and124 combine to create circular openings for axles 92 to passtherethrough with seal grooves 107 circumferentially locatedtherearound. When cap 100 and shell 120 are assembled together, seals 86fit into and engage with seal grooves 107 to form another debris controlstructure 98. Seals 86 create a seal between rotating axle 92 and fixedseal grooves 107. Both ends of axle 92 extend from the assembly of cap10 and shell 100, and seals 86 prevent debris migration about therotating axles 92.

Output roller 90 may further comprise at least one annular groove 93therein (see FIGS. 6 and 10) with each groove 93 concentrically locatedaround axle 92 and second axis 25. Groove 93 can comprise groove walls94 perpendicular to the second axis 25 of rotation, and may include aflat groove floor 96 concentric to the second axis 25.

Cap 100 may further comprise stripper 104 extending at least partiallyinto groove 93. The combination of the groove 93 and the stripper 94comprise another debris control structure 98. Each stripper 104 isconfigured to engage with a groove 93 to remove debris from rotatingoutput roller 90. Stripper 104 can enter groove 93 just below exposedportion 91, and at the same level of top surface 101. Tape or paperdebris on output roller 90 is rotated into contact with stripper 104.The contact of the moving debris with the stationary stripper 104 exertsa force F on the debris normal to an upper surface of stripper 104 (seeFIG. 10). The impact of debris on stripper 104 exerts a force vector onthe debris that is both opposite of the rotational direction of theroller 90, and radially away from the rotating output roller 90. Thecombination of backwards force and outward radial force strips orremoves debris from within grove 93, and/or or strips tape attached tothe outer arcuate periphery 95 of outer roller 90 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).Stripper 104 is also effective on removing tape wound around outputroller 90 and in groove 93. Strippers 104 can also conform closely togroove walls 94 and/or groove floor 96 of output roller 90 to minimizegap therebetween and to increase stripping effectivity.

As shown in FIGS. 7-12, stripper 104 may comprise a flat portion 104 alevel with top surface 101, and/or an arcuate portion 104 b rising abovethe flat portion 104 a. FIGS. 8 and 10 illustrates an alternate cap 100a comprising strippers 104 with cantilever flat portions 104 a extendinginto opening 102. FIGS. 7, 9, and 11-12 illustrate strippers 104 thatare attached at two ends with flat portions 104 a and arcuate portions104 b. Strippers 104 connected at two ends are stronger and less likelyto break, especially when stripping large pieces of tape debris. Topsurface 101 of cap 100 can extend across flat portion 104 a and archedportion 104 b of strippers 104.

FIG. 9 is cross section of transmission 20 taken along lines 29-29 (seeFIG. 1). FIG. 9 is a view directly along second axis 25 and shows tape130 being stripped from output roller 90. Output roller 90 and attachedtape 150 are rotating clockwise. In FIG. 9, a leading edge of tape 130has impact the stripper 104 causing the leading edge to crinkle and liftaway from output roller 90. Continued rotation of output roller 90 willstrip tape 130 from output roller 90. FIG. 9 also illustrates the flatportion 104 a and the arcuate portions 104 b of strippers 104. Arcuateportions 104 b are positioned below the arcuate periphery 95 of outputroller 90 to ensure that the exposed portions 91 of output roller 90contacts and convey articles.

FIG. 10 illustrates roller 90 with a piece of paper debris 132 partiallyjammed into first groove 93 and a piece of clear tape 134 stuck onarcuate periphery 95 of output roller 90, and over second groove 93.Both paper debris 132 and clear tape 134 are rotating in the directionof arrow 29 towards cap 100 a where strippers 104 are short cantileverportions 104 a. Cantilever stripper 104 a is shown just contacting acorner of clear tape 134 and force F is beginning to strip tape 134 fromoutput roller 90. As best shown in FIG. 10, debris traveling with thearcuate roller impacts the top surface 101 of strippers 104 at anoblique angle 116. Oblique angle 116 can be greater than 90 degrees.

FIG. 11 is another partial cross sectional view of transmission 20showing an additional debris control structure 98 configured to ejectdebris from transmission 20. Previously described shell 120 can be seenin this view in cross section and in close proximity to an underside ofthe arcuate periphery 91 of output roller 90. Shell 120 has a cuppedportion 121 about an underside of the arcuate periphery 91 with a narrowgap therebetween, the narrow gap between the underside of the arcuateroller 90 and the cupped portion 121 of the shell 120 forms a plenum123. The plenum 123 can be configured to channel airflow thrown off thearcuate roller 90 upwards from the spinning output roller 90 by guidingthe air between the spinning roller and the cupped portion 121 of shell120. Paper debris 136 can be composed of loosely compacted clumps ofshort paper fibers and dust that can be pulled into transmission 20 byrotating output roller 90. Paper debris 138 can be larger pieces ofpaper or tape debris. When debris 136, 138 migrates into theencapsulation 98 and into the plenum 123, the airflow in the plenum 123ejects the debris 136 carried therein upwards and out of an exhaustopening 109 on a backside of the output roller.

For larger pieces of debris 138, the gap between the output roller 90and the cupped portion 101 is sized to bring the larger pieces of debris138 into contact with the rotating output roller, the contact ejectingthe larger pieces of debris 138 upwards from the plenum 123 with thecontact. The exhaust opening 109 on the backside of the roller ispositioned to exhaust the larger pieces of debris 138 ejected by contactwith the rotating roller.

The ejection of larger pieces of debris 138 from transmission 20 can beassisted by airflow thrown off of rotating output roller 90. Tape canstick to output roller 90 and can be drawn underneath of the rotatingoutput roller and the shell. Friction of the output roller 90 on thetape debris can wear and abrade the tape into small fragments, and thefragments eject from the exhaust 109.

FIG. 12 is another partial cross sectional view of transmission 20showing an additional debris control structure 98 that prevents damageto gears within transmission 20. In the event of a jam that bringsoutput roller 90 to a halt, high forces can be transferred to the gearsin the drivetrain 60. In this view, tape wad 139 has jammed between cap100 and output roller 90 and has stopped the rotation of output roller90. Output roller 90 can be formed from an elastomer with a highcoefficient of friction to drive articles along the conveying path.Input roller 65 can be formed from steel to have a lower coefficient offriction with the linearly moving belt 145 than the elastomeric outputroller 90 has with the articles. In the event of a jam, such as thatcaused by tape wad 139, output roller 90 and input roller 65 both stoprotating. The coefficient of friction between the steel of input roller65 and linear moving belt 145 is low enough to enable the stopped inputroller 65 to slip thereon. The steel of input roller 65 is configured toslip on linear moving belt 145, and hard enough to prevent linear movingbelt 145 from wearing a flat spot on input roller 65.

FIG. 13 shows a cable divert mechanism 148 that engages withtransmission 20 to rotate output roller 90 about first axis of rotation21. Cable 150 can be constructed from a long wearing and abrasionresistant material. One example thereof, but not limited thereto, is athermoplastic such as UHMW polyethylene which can be woven from highstrength molecularly oriented strands for maximum strength and abrasionresistance. One commercially available version of a suitable UHMW cablecan be obtained from DSM Dyneema, Highway 27, South Stanley, N.C. 28164,but the innovation is not limited thereto.

In FIG. 13, a single transmission 20 is shown having first housing 30held stationary with a second housing 40 rotatable around the firsthousing 30 to define a first axis of rotation 21. Output roller 90 isattached to second housing 40 to define a conveying surface, outputroller 90 being rotatably driven by engagement of the transmission 20with a power source (such as linear moving belt 145) to move articlesalong the conveying surface. Second housing 40 has an outer peripheryaround the first axis 21. Cable 150 is looped 152 around outer periphery44 of second housing 40 with tension applied to first cable end 151 aand second cable end 151 b in opposite directions to hold the first andsecond cable ends 151 a, 151 b apart a spaced apart distance “L”,wherein when cable ends 151 a, 151 b remain at the spaced apart distance“L” and are moved in unison to move first cable end 151 a closer to thetransmission 20 and second cable end 151 b farther away fromtransmission 20, the movement of cable 150 looped 152 about outerperiphery 44 of the transmission rotates upper housing 40 and outputroller 90 to divert articles from the first direction to the seconddirection different from the first direction.

FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of a cable divert mechanism 148comprising table 170 with first drum 160 and a second drum 162 rotatablyconnected to the table with each drum 160, 162 having the same diameter.First and second drums 160, 162 are held a fixed distance “D” apart andare free to rotate around respective axis 160 a, 162 a. First end of thecable 151 a connects to first drum 160 and second end 151 b of cable 150connects to second drum 162. Rotation of first drum 160 and second drum162 in a first direction and in the same amount rotates upper housing 40and output roller 90 to divert conveyed articles from the firstdirection to the second direction.

Transmission 20 is shown fixed to table 170 between first and seconddrums 160, 162 with tension maintained on first and second cable ends151 a, 152 b. The length “L” between cable ends 151 comprises theportions of cable 150 wrapped partially around first drum 160 andpartially around second drum 162, and the cable length portion strungbetween first and second drums 160, 162. Cable 150 is wrapped around andin engagement with outer periphery 44 of second housing 40 and infrictional and constrictional engagement therewith. A positioner rod 164can be pivotally connected between first drum 160 and second drum 162 asshown. Side to side movement (see arrow 165) of positioner rod 164rotates each drum in the same rotational direction and the same amount.As first and second drums 160, 162 rotate in the same direction and thesame amount, one drum 160 or 162 pays out (unwraps) an amount of wrappedcable 150 and the other drum 160, or 162 takes up (wraps) an equalamount of cable 150 rotating first housing 40 and output roller 90around the first axis 21. Reversing the movement of positioner rod 164rotates the upper housing 40 and output roller around the first axis 21in opposite second rotational direction. More than one transmission 20,such as a single linear row of transmissions 20, can be placed betweenfirst drum 160 and second drum 162, with each transmission 20 operablycoupled to the cable 150 with the loop 152 described previously.Rotation of first drum 160 and second drum 162 rotates each secondhousing 40 and output roller 90 in the row of transmissions 20.Transmission 20 is shown extending through upper surface 171 and firstand second rollers 160, 162 attached to table 170. The above embodimentcan be used whenever a single row of transmissions is used in a table170.

In FIG. 15, the output roller 90 and second housing 40 are shown rotatedaround first axis 21 in a clockwise direction (arrow 22) about 135degrees from the position shown in FIG. 13. Output arrow 28 shows thedirection of movement of an article being driven by rotating outputroller 90. Input arrow 27 indicates the direction of linear motionapplied to input roller 65. As shown, ends 151 of cable 150 have movedto the left relative to transmission 20 to rotate the upper housing 40and output roller 90 clockwise (arrow 22). The distance “L” between ends151 remains the same. A cable clamp 125 has rotated into view from thebackside of second housing 40 and is shown clamping cable 150 betweencable clamp 125 and clamp boss 45 of upper housing 40. Clamp rod 126extends through rod bore 46 in land 41 and threadedly engages with upperhousing 40. Clamp rod 126 can be tightened with a tool at land 41 toclamp cable clamp 1125 onto cable 150. Cable clamp 126 provides a singleclamping point to secure cable 150 to upper housing 40 yet allows cable150 to wind and unwind on outer periphery 44 of upper housing 40.

FIG. 16 illustrates the counterclockwise rotation of upper housing 40and output roller 90 from the position shown in FIG. 13 to the positionshown in FIG. 16. Once again, ends 151 of cable 150 remain the samedistance “L” apart but move to the right relative to transmission 20.The rotational difference between FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 is plus 135degrees around first axis 21, and the rotational difference between FIG.13 and FIG. 16 is minus 135 degrees around the first axis 21. BetweenFIGS. 13, 15, and 16, the total rotation depicted is +/135 degrees for afull 270 total degrees of rotation of output roller 90 and upper housing40. It is believed that up to 360 degrees of rotation or more ispossible with cable divert mechanism 148 and transmissions 20.

FIGS. 17-19 depict another embodiment of a cable divert mechanism 148wherein the output rollers 90 of two rows of transmissions 20 can berotated about each transmission's 20 first axis 21 with a single cable150. In FIGS. 17-19, cable 150 is consecutively looped 152 around afirst row of transmissions 20 and wrapped 180 degrees around cablepulley 180 to loop 152 around a second row of transmissions 20 that areparallel to the first row of transmissions 20. Cable ends 151 a and 151b can be attached to separate drums, or to a windlass 178 comprising twodrums joined together on a common windlass axle.

The cable divert mechanism 148 of FIGS. 17-19 can comprise table 170having upper surface 171 with two rows of a plurality of transmissions20 extending therethrough. Each row of transmissions 20 is parallel tothe other, with each transmission 20 having a first housing 30 fixed tothe table, and each transmission 20 having a second housing 40 rotatablearound the first housing to define a first axis of rotation 21. Thesecond housing 40 having an output roller 90 to define the conveyingsurface and an outer periphery around the first axis 21. Windlass 178 isrotatably supported by table 170 at one end of the two rows oftransmissions 20. Cable 150 is attached to windlass 178 at first end 151a and looped 152 sequentially around the outer periphery 44 of each ofthe first row of transmissions 20, the cable 150 curved around cablepulley 180 to return towards windlass 178 while looping 152 sequentiallyaround the outer periphery 44 of each of the second row of transmissions20 parallel to the first row with second end of the cable 151 b attachedto windlass 178 to place cable 150 under tension. Rotation of windlass178 rotates each of the second housings 40 and output rollers 90 withcable 150 to divert articles carried on the conveying surface from thefirst direction to the second direction where the second direction isdifferent from the first direction.

The output roller 90 is rotatably driven by linear moving belt 145 tomove articles along the conveying surface. The second housing 40 has anouter periphery 44 around the first axis 21. Windlass 178 is rotatablysupported by table 170 at one end of the two rows of transmissions 40.Cable 150 is attached to the windlass 178 at first end 151 a and looped152 sequentially around the outer periphery 44 of each of the first rowof transmissions 20. The cable 150 is curved around cable pulley 180 toreturn towards windlass 178 while looping 152 sequentially around theouter periphery 44 of each of the second row of transmissions 40parallel to the first row of transmissions. Second end 151 b of cable150 is attached to windlass 178 to place cable 150 under tension.Rotation of windlass 178 rotates each of the second housings 40 anddrive rollers 90 with cable 150 to divert articles carried on theconveying surface from the first direction to the second direction wherethe second direction is different from the first direction.

A power source such as linearly moving belt 145 can be provided. Aplurality of transmissions 20 can be provided for conveying articlesthereon. Each of the plurality of transmissions 20 comprises outputroller 90 embedded into a body (first housing 30, second housing 40, cap100) of the transmission 20 with an exposed portion 91 of the outputroller 90 extending above a top surface 101 of the transmission todefine the conveying surface. Each output roller 90 is rotatable aboutfirst axis 21 of rotation perpendicular to the conveying surface to movearticles from the first direction to the second direction. The outputroller 90 of each transmission is rotated by the power source (linearlymoving belt 145) about second axis 25 of rotation parallel to theconveying surface to convey articles carried thereon along the conveyingsurface, wherein the transmission 20 further comprises a debris controlstructure 98 about the output roller 90 below the top surface 101 tocontrol debris migration into the transmission.

FIGS. 17-19 show a partial corner portion of the previously mentionedtable 170 configured to mount the plurality of transmissions 20 therein.As shown, table 170 has upper surface 171 and as indicated by rollerbores 172 therein, can contain the plurality of transmissions 20 spacedapart in parallel rows to form a grid. As indicated by first row ofroller bores 172 a and second row of roller bores 172 b, adjacent rowsof transmissions can be staggered. To reveal details underneath throughroller bores 172, only one transmission 20 of the plurality is depicted.As shown, top surface 101 of cap 100 of transmission 20 is at or aboutthe same level of upper surface 171 and can be substantially flat.Exposed portion 91 of the plurality of output rollers 90 extends abovetop surface 101 of cap 100 to define the conveying surface for conveyingand diverting articles on table 170.

Baseplate 175 attaches to a pair of generally parallel rails 176 (oneshown) to make a rigid structure that supports linear moving belt 145and a plurality of standoffs 177. Arrow 146 indicates the direction ofmotion of linear moving belt 145 which is driven by a power source (notshown). Upper surface 101 removably attaches to the baseplate 175 byattaching to the plurality of standoffs 177 which space top surfaceabove baseplate 175. Positioner bracket 166 attaches to rail 176. Cabledivert mechanism 148 can be seen between the baseplate 175 and the uppersurface 171, and attached to rail 176.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 14 is configured to rotate the outputrollers in one row of transmissions 20. In FIGS. 17-19, the cable divertmechanism 148 depicted in FIG. 14 is configured to rotate drive rollers90 in more than one row of transmissions 20 with the cable 150. Cabledivert mechanism 148 rotates all drive rollers 90 residing in the firstrow of roller bores 172 a, and all drive rollers 90 in the second row ofroller bores 172 b, about each respective first axis 21. To interconnecttransmissions 20 in the first row, cable 150 is fed in from rail 176,and starting with the transmission 20 closest to the rail 176, the cable150 is sequentially looped 152 around each of the plurality oftransmissions 20 in turn, and then bent 180 degrees around reversingcable pulley 180. Cable pulley 180 rotates freely and attaches tobaseplate 175. Cable 150 then returns by being looped 152 around each ofthe transmissions 20 in the second row, and exits adjacent to rail 176.Each end 151 of cable 150 is wrapped in an opposite direction aroundwindlass 178 that is rotatably supported by windlass axles 178 a inpositioner bracket 166. Ends 151 of cable 150 are constrained by lockingbar 179 that clamps cable 150 to windlass. In FIG. 17-20, the foremostend of cable 150 wraps under windlass 178. Cable 150 wraps around cablepulley 180 to vertically engage cable 150 with windlass 178. As windlass178 rotates, cable 150 is both taken up and paid out to rotate two rowsof output rollers 90. When the windlass 178 rotates around the windlassaxle 178 a in a first windlass direction, the first end 151 a of thecable unwraps an amount of cable 150 from the windlass 178 and thesecond end 151 b of the cable 150 wraps the same amount of cable 150onto the windlass 178. Windless 178 is operably coupled to linearactuator 164 comprising a dual action cylinder. As depicted, actuator164 can rotate windlass 178 in a selected direction around windlass axle178 a.

In FIG. 17, the output rollers 90 are shown oriented to feed articlesconveyed thereon in a first direction indicated by arrow 183. Thelocking bar 179, windlass 178, actuator 164, drive rollers 90, and cableends 151 are all depicted in a first position that will feed articles ina first path direction indicated by arrow 183. In FIG. 18, the actuator164 has shortened, windlass 178, locking bar 179, and cable ends 151have rotated clockwise, and output rollers are positioned to drivearticles in a second path direction indicated by arrow 185. For thisexample, actuator 164 can cycle to position output rollers 90 of theplurality of drives 20 to feed articles on the first path direction 183or the second path direction 185, respectively.

FIG. 19 is a partially exploded view showing upper surface 171 explodedupwards from standoffs 177 to expose transmissions 20 mounted inbaseplate 175. With upper surface 171 removed, cable 150 can be wrappedaround the plurality of transmissions 20. Input roller 90 oftransmissions 20 are rotating from contact with the linearly moving belt145. Linear moving belt 145 is moving in the direction of arrow 146. Thelower or first housing 30 of each transmission 20 is attached tobaseplate 175 with fasteners 37 engaging with mounting bosses 39 (seeFIG. 2). Cable pulley 180 is shown elevated above the attachment pointon baseplate 175. Cable 150 is shown with a plurality of loops 152therein to show how cable 150 wraps around transmissions 20 in the firstand second rows of transmissions. Arcuate cable portions near ends 151show how cable 150 is wrapped around the windlass 178 in the first pathdirection indicated by arrow 183 in FIG. 17. Whereas a corner of table170 is shown, table 170 can be much larger, rectangular, and can includeadditional rows of transmissions 20. Windlass 178 can be extended andadditional cables 150 can be attached thereto to rotate the additionalrows of transmissions.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the innovation to the precise form disclosed. Obviousmodifications or variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order toillustrate the principles of the innovation and its application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize theinnovation in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. Although only a limitednumber of embodiments of the innovation is explained in detail, it is tobe understood that the innovation is not limited in its scope to thedetails of construction and arrangement of components set forth in thepreceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The innovation iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out invarious ways. Also, specific terminology was used herein for the sake ofclarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes alltechnical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish asimilar purpose. It is intended that the scope of the innovation bedefined by the claims submitted herewith.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A divert for diverting articles conveyedthereon from a first path to a second path, the divert comprising: atable having an upper surface; a source of power attached to the table,a plurality of transmissions each comprising a fixed portion attached tothe table and a rotatable portion having an output roller extendingabove the upper surface to define the conveying surface, each outputroller rotatably driven by the power source around a roller axisparallel to the conveying surface and each output roller rotatablearound a first axis perpendicular to the conveying surface by rotationof the rotatable portion around the first axis; and a cable divertmechanism having an actuator attached to the frame and a cableoperatively attached to the actuator and to the rotatable portion ofeach transmission, the cable divert mechanism synchronizedly holdingeach output roller in a first orientation to convey articles along thefirst path, wherein when the actuator actuates and the cable moves, eachof the rotatable portions and the respective output rollerssynchronously rotate around the first axis to divert articles onto thesecond path.
 2. The divert of claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises apositioner rod linking the first drum to the second drum, whereinmovement of the positioner rod rotates each of the first and seconddrums the same direction and the same amount.
 3. The divert of claim 1wherein the each rotatable portion of the transmission has an outerperiphery with the cable looped-around the outer periphery tosynchronously rotate each rotatable portion and output roller around thefirst axis in response to movement of the cable.
 4. The divert of claim3 wherein the rotatable portion of each transmission further comprises acable clamp rotatable therewith clamped to the cable at a singleclamping point to secure the cable to the rotatable portion, the cableclamp positioned to allow the cable to wind and unwind on the outerperiphery as the cable moves in response to the actuator.
 5. The divertof claim 1 further comprising a first drum and a second drum rotatablyconnected to the table with cable ends attached thereto, whereinrotation of the first drum and the second drum moves the cable tosynchronizedly rotate each rotatable portion and the output roller todivert articles from the first path to the second path.
 6. The divert ofclaim 5 wherein rotation of the first drum and the second drum togetherin an opposite direction rotates the upper housing and the output rollerin an opposite direction.
 7. The divert of claim 5 wherein the actuatoroperably connects to each of first and second drums, wherein actuationof the actuator rotates both first and second drums to divert articlesfrom the first direction to the second direction.
 8. The divert of claim7 wherein the actuator is an air cylinder.
 9. A conveying surface forselectively conveying articles carried thereon in a first direction anda second direction different from the first direction, the conveyingsurface comprising: a table having an upper surface; a source of power;a first row and a second row of transmissions each parallel to theother, each transmission having a first housing fixed to the table and asecond housing having an outer periphery rotatable around the firsthousing to define a first axis of rotation perpendicular to the uppersurface, the second housing having an output roller rotatably attachedthereto to define the conveying surface with the output roller rotatablydriven by the power source to move articles along the conveying surface,the second housing having an outer periphery around the first axis; anda cable divert mechanism comprising a windlass and a cable pulley isrotatably supported by the table with the first and second rows oftransmissions extending therebetween, a cable is attached at each cableend to the windlass and extends therefrom to arc around the cable pulleywith the cable consecutively looped around each rotatable portion ofeach transmission between the windlass and the cable pulley tosynchronously orient each output roller to the other in an orientationto move articles along the first path wherein rotation of the windlassrotates each of the rotatable housings and output rollers in the samedirection to rotate the output rollers from the first orientation to asecond orientation to thereby divert articles carried on the conveyingsurface from the first direction to a second direction different thanthe first.
 10. The conveying surface of claim 9 wherein the first end ofthe cable is wrapped around the windlass in a first direction and thesecond end of the cable is wrapped around the windlass in a seconddirection opposite to the first direction.
 11. The conveying surface ofclaim 9 wherein the cable is secured to the windlass at the first andsecond cable ends by a clamp.
 12. The conveying surface of claim 9wherein the windlass is rotatably supported by the table to rotatearound a single windlass axle.
 13. The conveying surface of claim 9wherein the upper housing further comprises a cable clamp clamping thecable to the upper housing.
 14. The conveying surface of claim 9 whereinwhen the windlass rotates around the windlass axle in a first windlassdirection, the first end of the cable unwraps an amount of cable fromthe windlass and the second end of the cable wraps the same amount ofcable onto the windlass.
 15. The conveying surface of claim 14 whereinthe table comprises windlass is rotated by an actuator.
 16. Theconveying surface of claim 15 wherein the actuator is linear with oneend connected to the table and the other end connected to the windlass,the windlass rotating in response to linear movement of the actuator.17. The conveying surface of claim 9 wherein the table further comprisesa baseplate beneath the upper surface.
 18. The conveying surface ofclaim 17 wherein each of the first housings of the transmissions arefixed to the baseplate.
 19. The conveying surface of claim 18 whereineach of the transmissions fixed to the baseplate further comprise aninput roller extending beneath the baseplate, engaging a drive trainrotatably coupling the input roller to the output roller.
 20. Theconveying surface of claim 19 wherein a linearly moving belt is attachedto the table beneath the baseplate with each of the input rollers indriving connection with the linear moving belt to rotatably drive theoutput rollers.